During the festive season, animals are often at the bottom of the list of those who receive help.

No cause is unworthy, and it can be difficult to know where to give your attention. But Evie and Donkey were desperate. So, we put out an urgent appeal to help them.

Below you can see the skin and bones they were when rescued. It broke our hearts to see the state they were in.

Evie and Donkey’s journey to us was one of hunger and exhaustion. Their owner, unable to meet their needs, reached out for help.

Hungry and frail, Evie, the black girl cow, was so exhausted she lay down for the entire journey to safety, unable to stand.

Thanks to the support of this community and their generous donors, we were able to provide them with the care they so desperately needed.

They got a second chance at life.

After some much-needed care and love in one of our foster homes, they began to open up and enjoy life again 🥹, showing us their loving and playful spirits. Watch their transformation here.

Evie is gentle and kind. Donkey loves to run with horses and perhaps thinks he may be one…

Their story is one of the power of compassion. Animals once frail, afraid with very little to give can transform into the most fun and loving companions.

There are no lost causes at ‘Til The Cows Come Home, only those who need a little extra love.

But our work was not over; we needed to find them a home that could be their forever.

Only with your help and support are we able to spend so much time housing animals who need it most and use all our resources to search high and low for their perfect forever homes.

After months of searching, their forever home was found. One filled with lush grass and lots of space for Donkey to run to his heart’s content. A home where they will be loved as companions, not commodities.

None of this is possible without your generosity. If you would like to continue supporting this life-saving work, please click here.

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Meet Teddy, to him, he may be just like every other rescue. Rescued alongside two other calves, Albert and Oscar, they all narrowly escaped slaughter.

To us, however, Teddy marks a very momentous moment in our mission.

Teddy was born into this world as the byproduct of his mother’s milk production. To the industry, his life was worth nothing more than the milk it allowed his mother to make. His future was uncertain, but likely grim.

Just like humans, female cows need to give birth to produce milk. As a result, each year in Australia, over 400,000 calves are born on dairy farms and are deemed as “waste” or “surplus”.  

You might wonder why these calves are considered unviable. Well, they cannot be used for future breeding or milk production. With so many calves being born, it becomes unfeasible for dairy farmers to raise all of these calves to a valuable size to be sold at market for a worthwhile value. 

Teddy, being male, would have likely been killed within days—sometimes by a single, brutal blow to the head. Or are sent to slaughter within weeks. If he was “lucky” he would be raised for veal, his life then cut short before his first birthday.

What “life” is this?

However, thanks to the generous support of our donors, Teddy’s fate was turned, and he was rescued by our team.

Albert, Oscar and Teddy were taken safely into short-term foster care. Before moving on to their forever home, where they will be loved and cherished as companions, not commodities.

Teddy is a gentle soul, whose shy demeanour melts as soon as a tasty snack or reassuring pat are involved. He is deserving of so much love, and we are so grateful he will have the life he deserves.

Teddy marks a huge milestone for ‘Til The Cows Come Home. He is the 10,000th adoption. That’s 10,000 lives taken in or saved from often horrific or heartbreaking fates, that have all been rehomed into loving and caring forever homes.

Teddy is more than a rescue calf. He is the symbol of change, the vision of compassion and the embodiment of love.

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Early 2023, an ad appeared online with text explaining that an 8-month-old goat had been tangled and caught in some vines, and as a result, had a mangled and broken leg. 

The post read, “Not sure if the leg can be saved or not, up to you what you decide”. 

Her price, $50. That was the value of her life.

Luckily, a member of the public saw the ad and contacted four rescues but all were at capacity.

Finally, they contacted our team. Within just a few hours we secured her rescue and transported her to the vet for urgent care.

This little girl was named Daisy.

Her situation was critical and she underwent emergency surgery to amputate her leg – sadly the only way to save her.

It was later found that she had a severe infection. Kept in the hospital for weeks – she fought for her life.

Her infection began to heal, but there were signs of maggots reaching her chest cavity. An indication of how long she had been left in this awful state. It’s heartbreaking to think this sweet girl was left like this. Left to suffer, with her value marked as a price on a website.

Fast forward a few weeks, and her recovery was awe-inspiring.

Our team, the incredible people at WestVETS Animal Hospital and this community of donors and supporters were with her every step of the way. It is incredible to witness the power of one girl’s will, backed by an entire community.

Fast forward again to now, and this little girl has bounced back! This truly inspiring little goat has taken her new life in her stride, learning to play and have fun no matter what. It’s heartwarming to see her grow and learn to love again.

But there’s more… We are happy to report Daisy is now with her forever family and was officially adopted! She is living her best life with her new family and is already making friends with her new goat pals.

“She is doing so well she already holds a huge space in our hearts. We are so privileged to have her” – Candice, Daisy’s adopter.

Stories like these make anything feel possible when we lead with compassion.

Our incredible Foster Carers, Ben and Sal (Daisy’s foster parents), put it best “She is now healed, strong, healthy and ready for a long and loved life with her new family.

This is why we do what we do. Stories like Daisy’s have a chance of a happy ending because of the amazing support of ‘Til The Cows Come Home and their generous donors.”

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Pippa was born into a home that did not know how to care for her. Born into a flock of sheep that were neglected and suffering. Many were extremely emaciated, with worm-filled bellies and no access to shade or shelter.

Late last year, ‘Til The Cows Come Home stepped in. We rescued all 13 sheep, including Pippa.

Unfortunately, not all of them survived.

When Pippa was rescued, her tail had been docked, leaving behind a badly infected wound. She had never been vaccinated, which led to her to develop a life-threatening infection.

To our horror, she then started showing signs of paralysis.

As Pippa’s condition worsened, we were told it was touch-and-go as to whether she would survive or ever be able to walk again.

Our truly inspiring Foster Carers spent day and night by her side, keeping her in their home to ensure she was never alone. They tirelessly provided her with physiotherapy to strengthen her legs and even hand-built her a walker. Allowing and encouraging her to regain her strength.

Each day she began to get stronger and stronger, her fighting spirit astonishing us all.

Often illnesses like these are not treated in farmed animals, as the cost is deemed to outweigh their value. They are simply “disposed of”.

We stand against that notion and treat each and every animal we rescue with the same dedication and determination we would ourselves. Never calculating the value of a life, always doing whatever it takes to save them.

When asked to describe Pippa in one word her Foster Carers, Ben and Salz said, “Determined! This little girl wanted to live, she has fought the whole way!”.

And live she did, Pippa fought through it all and took her very first happy lamb leaps – not a dry eye was present.

Sadly, Pip’s suffering could have been avoided with a simple vaccination.

Pippa’s foster family said the one thing they wished people knew, to avoid this happening again, is the importance of vaccinations, “We routinely vaccinate dogs and cats but paddock pets need it too! Tetanus can be prevented by vaccination.”

We hope Pippa’s story will help bring attention to this, that her bravery and determination will stand for something. We want an end to the neglect of farmed animals and to inspire the beginning of treating them as we would any other pet.

Treating them as companions, not commodities.

We know Pippa stole the hearts of thousands online and her spirit continues to inspire.

Today, Pippa is a symbol of hope and resilience, inspiring others to fight for what they believe in. Her bravery and determination have shown us that with love, care, and support, anything is possible.

That is not all to this story however, Pippa has found her fairy tale happy ending. Her devoted Foster Carers, Ben and Sal could not break the bond they have built with this special little girl and have decided to adopt her!

She will now spend forever in their loving care. A match truly made in heaven.

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Jonah and Odie defied all odds. Born male in a dairy farm, contracting a deadly disease so young, yet they survived. This is their story. 

This is Jonah and Odie. Brothers, best friends, and boys who have had each other’s backs through thick and thin. These gorgeous boys have not had an easy start to their young lives. In October 2022, they were two of seven calves born on a dairy farm, separated from their mothers at just a few days old so that their mothers could be milked for human consumption.

Their story is not an uncommon one. Sadly, most male calves are considered a “waste product”, and unviable for many dairy farmers to keep as they don’t produce milk.

Calves often arrive into our care malnourished and, in most cases, require veterinary treatment and around-the-clock care. In the case of Jonah and Odie, things were a lot worse.

After their rescue, it was apparent the calves were very unwell. Odie displayed signs of illness; and while Jonah came into care seemingly strong, his health went downhill after only a few days. The vet tested all seven positive for Cryptosporidium, a highly contagious parasite with an incredibly high mortality rate in calves. Terrifyingly, it is resistant to antibiotics and was left untreated and ignored before their rescue.

Soon both calves became very flat, refused feeds, were extremely weak and withdrawn and unable to stand. They were put on IV fluids to help replace the vast amounts of fluid they were losing, due to the illness making it hard for them to absorb nutrients.

Heartbreakingly, even with nonstop care and medical attention, three of the seven calves died. Leaving behind four calves, including Jonah and Odie, who remained fighting, for themselves, and their brothers.

Their carers didn’t give up and neither did they. From IV fluids for rehydration, strong medication and pain relief, constant cleaning of wounds and fresh bedding changed daily to electrolytes with milk feeds several times throughout the day and night, they started to improve along with the two remaining calves, Beatrice and Albert.

In the following weeks, Jonah and Odie’s sore and pale pink skin from hair loss began to lessen as new hair started to grow back. Odie had suffered hair loss to over a third of his small body – from his rear to his chest, cheek, chin, forehead, and belly. Slowly, as he began to recover, his hair began to grow back, but a different colour. 

To us, however, this only made him more unique and even cuter (if at all possible?). His new coat adorns his skin as a reminder of his fighting spirit.

Throughout it all Jonah’s sweet nature persevered. He became his Foster Carer’s shadow, getting as excited as a puppy whenever he would see her.

By the time their treatment finished, their bodies had started to heal. As a result, their energy levels increased, and their sweet personalities began to shine through. The brothers slowly began to play, running around their nursery and getting stronger each day. They were finally thriving and loving life.

“The battle scars from their rough start to life will be a distant memory very soon as their bodies continue to repair the damage done. Soon they won’t have anything to remind them of the battle they faced and won.”

Sarah – Jonah and Odie’s Foster Carer.

Jonah and Odie are their Foster Carer’s, Sarah, first calves to survive Cryptosporidium. 

They are now four months old, a milestone they would never have reached if it wasn’t for the generosity, kindness, and compassion we are so grateful to witness in this world. From our Foster Carers, from the public’s generous donations and from this community’s endless support.

Because of this, these boys have the best possible start to the life they deserve. Finally, they have a chance at a life transformed, from being treated as “waste” to the sweet companions they are.

Thankfully this story has a happy ending. After months of unconditional love and support from their Foster Carer, it was only fitting we found them a forever home to match. These boys have finally moved in with their new family, into their forever home. Here they will be loved and cherished for the rest of their lives. Free to live out their days as they please. 

Jonah and Odie are a testament to all that can be with kindness, compassion and a whole lot of dedication. 

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Late 2022 we were informed of thirteen sheep in desperate need of our help. Rushing to the scene we found these beautiful beings in appalling conditions. Many were extremely emaciated, with worm-filled bellies and no access to shade or shelter.

With the help of our tireless foster team, we were able to rescue all thirteen. Heartbreakingly one Ewe did not make it. She was in a horrific condition and after the journey, with her lamb finally in safe and loving hands, she passed away.

It was a heartbreaking loss for our team but we promised it would not be in vain, we would continue to fight for the remaining twelve.

This is Zoe, she was in the most severe condition of all the rescues and in need of a lot of care and attention.

We would also like you to meet Zoe’s beautiful lamb, Sugar.

As the selfless mother Zoe is, she has sacrificed her own strength to keep her baby alive. With Zoe’s sacrifice, Sugar began to thrive in a life she deserved, loved and safe.

This is what your kind donations, proper care and compassion can make possible, this was Zoe after a few short months in foster care.

We do not believe Zoe suffered at the hands of cruel people. Instead, we chose to believe it is with those who knew no different. Ignorance running so deep in society that many are unaware. Unaware of proper care, treatment and protocol.

We chose to offer compassion, always. And implore anyone, if you find yourself unable to care for your farm animals in Australia and need help, advice or support – we are here. We have a team passionate about re-educating and supporting those who want it, without judgment.

Nothing changes overnight, but with one mind changed we are one step closer to changing the world.

Zoe’s transformation is a testament to how powerful this really is. Someone noticed her struggle and chose to ask for help, now she is thriving.

This is the flock now – Stumpy, Hilde, Eloise, Asha, Tilly, Heidi, Gus, Zoe and Sugar.

Our team worked tirelessly until we finally found their perfect forever home.

“Thank you so much for letting us be part of the lives of these beautiful animals. Myself, my husband and kids are getting so much joy out of our new family members and we hope we will have so many years to give them the lives they deserve.” – their new family.

Zoe sacrificed so much and finally, with your support, her baby Zoe will live a full and happy life.

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As a rescue pig, he was sadly overlooked time and time again. Was he not cute enough?

This little guy was hand-raised from just three weeks old. He had a difficult start to life, he was the runt, rejected by his family.

Heartbreakingly he was often brutally attacked by his family, leaving him broken and alone. In one attack, they bit off the end of his tail and left him with a broken foot.

A kind family saw his pain and took him in, giving him a home, and mending him back to health.

He was loved deeply by this family, but sadly their property was not suitable for a pig who would eventually grow into a big boy. So, they had to make the heartbreaking decision to give him up.

His family had done all they could for him to make him safe, he now needed to find a place to call home.

Wiggy is as sweet as they come. He goes nuts for scratches of any kind and if you get the right spot he will collapse on the ground like a puppy.

Pigs are known for eating just about anything, but Wiggy likes his dinner prepared “properly” and eats it like a gentleman – no mess no fuss.

Even as the most perfect boy you could imagine, and the tireless work of our adoption team, it still took almost a year to find him a home.

But thanks to our incredible Foster Carers and the generous donations of the ‘Til The Cows community, we were able to house him in a safe and loving environment for as long as he needed.

We wanted to ensure he went to the best home possible, and with you by our side, we were able to make that possible.

It’s thanks to the generosity of people like you that Wiggy is now in his forever home, living his best life, surrounded by love.

Each dollar you choose to give to protect animals like Wiggy makes an impact.

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We were left with a very important task – Olivia and Eleanor would have been euthanised if we didn’t find a home for them as a matter of urgency.

Thankfully, at the very last minute, one of our incredible Foster Carers stood forward to take them into temporary foster care.

These two are sisters by choice. Eleanor being more shy and wary Olivia took her under her wing. Olivia is confident, curious and above all loving.

Olivia found baby Eleanor and made a promise every big sister makes – a promise to love and protect her little sister, the pair have been inseparable ever since.

They held each other closely as they waited to find their forever home.

There’s no doubt Olivia and Eleanor would have felt lost without their beloved owner – and confused by their new surroundings. They needed lots of patience and love – all of which our team were honoured to provide.

Sadly, pigs are often overlooked when it comes to adoption. Our adoption team worked tirelessly, never giving up hope.

The process was a long one, where calves could be adopted in a matter of days, Olivia and Eleanor were continuously left behind.

Then finally it happened! This beautiful pair were adopted. We are elated to say Olivia and Eleanor finally have their happily ever after.

They have now moved into the most beautiful home and are settling in perfectly.

Providing them sanctuary, food and medical care for so long was costly – none of this would be possible without your kind donations.

Thank you for keeping Olivia and Eleanor safe, thank you for never giving up on them.

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Condemned to a life with one sole purpose, to eat until his body was big enough for human consumption.

174’s mother, like most female cows on dairy farms, is kept in a constant cycle – artificial impregnation, birthing, milk production, repeat. 174 may have not been the first calf she had carried and birthed, to be taken from her. Heartbreakingly, nor would he be the last.

You may hope the routine abuse would become easier for her. This is not the case. So traumatised, mothers have broken down fences, cried in anguish and even hidden their calves from farmers.

Their stolen calves are split into two groups, those for human consumption and those to be “disposed of”. 174 was destined for the former.

That was until 174 met Sarah.

Sarah is a backpacker from Germany, like many travelling in Australia she was completing her visa-required regional work on a dairy farm. Day after day she would visit the calves and one always stuck out to her. He would seek Sarah out and the two became bonded to one another.

She named him, Bounty.

This was the first time he had ever been treated as anything but a number, he joyfully began to come to his name being called.

As the end date of her farm work commitment loomed Sarah began to fear for Bounty. She could not simply leave him.

She convinced the farmer to let her buy him, but she had one problem, where would he go? As she had no residency here she searched for a safe place for him. That is when she found ‘Til The Cows Come Home.

Sarah found out how we rescue unwanted, unviable, “waste’’ farmed animals, rehabilitate them in short-term foster care and rehome them into safe, forever-loving homes as companions.

We worked closely with Sarah to secure Bounty’s rescue and transportation to safety. This would be a stressful experience for little Bounty. Cows, much like humans, are sociable animals. They bond with their friends and like any of us in the most stressful of times we need our companions.

So we negotiated with the farmer for another’s freedom. His name is Ollie.

Bounty and Ollie were safely transported to our nearest Foster Carer. Here they received medical care, nourishment and above all else, freedom.

Sarah was able to visit Bounty in foster care, where she expressed, “so many people thought I was crazy, but after seeing him today I know I made the right decision.”

Since then, the pair have been adopted and are living their best lives with their forever family.

You may remember Joaquin Phoniex’s 2020 Oscar speech, highlighting the “distressing issues” we face today, including the treatment of a cow on a dairy farm.

His words ring as true today, “When he was 17, my brother wrote this lyric. He said: “run to the rescue with love and peace will follow.”

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As a boy in the dairy industry, not producing milk diminishes the value of his life. He is considered a “surplus” or “waste” product. 

His mother, like most female cows on dairy farms, is kept in a constant cycle – artificial impregnation, birthing, milk production, repeat. He may have not been the first calf she had carried and birthed, to be taken from her. Heartbreakingly, nor would he be the last.

So traumatised by the loss of their babies, mothers have broken down fences, cried for days in anguish and even hidden their calves from farmers.

What happens to these poor babies after they are ripped from their mothers? They’re usually split into two groups, some to be reared for human consumption, often kept chained up in tiny cages. The rest are to be “disposed of”. Oscar was destined for the latter.

This is when Sari and Oscar’s paths crossed.

Sari is one of our devoted Foster Carers and our dedicated Foster Care Coordinator, she homes unwanted calves – giving them the medical treatment they require, and the love they deserve. She has spent years developing relationships with local dairy farms in an effort to rescue as many calves as possible.

Oscar was one of those lucky calves.

When picking him up, Sari witnessed first-hand him being snatched from his mother, his mother following in panic.

“I was a bit shocked that he had been left on mum for 3 days as they are normally removed within 12 to 24 hours so the cow can get back in the milking shed.”

Initially, he struggled a little to settle into his newfound freedom. Sadly, this is no surprise after the trauma he had endured. 

“Oscar was wild with not having any human contact for 3 days. Just enjoying the love and care of his mum. He had so much fear in his eyes. When I put him in a lovely warm straw-filled calf shed, he started crashing into the walls and gates – trying to escape.

He wouldn’t even glance at me. I think if he had got loose he would have ran and ran until he fell exhausted.

I just sat down in the corner and talked and talked about anything and everything so he could get used to my voice. He just stood wide-eyed staring out the gate.”

It’s no doubt he missed his mother, the first days were difficult for Oscar and Sari.

“Night time milk feed was the same, more banging and crashing into everything. I had to corner him and hold him tight to get him to drink, he kicked out backwards and made a nice mess of my legs. But I was just so relieved he drank.

Over the next 24 hours, I spent so much time sitting and talking slowly getting closer and closer. I even managed a little chin tickle. I was elated!”

After a few days of unwavering love, consistent care and bucketloads of patience he finally settled into his foster home with Sari. It is truly incredible to see the change love can create. 

Cows, much like humans, are sociable animals. They bond with their friends and like any of us in the most stressful of times we need our companions. Oscar was now safe, but lonely. 

Until he met Daryl.

Daryl was set to face the same fate as Oscar, on the same farm. With the support of our generous donors, we could stop that from happening.

Thus begins the bromance of this pair. Sharing this difficult journey bonded them into the inseparable duo they are today. They have relied on one another and now never leave each other’s side.

As the best of friends, they have morphed into one. A pair of ‘firecrackers’, excited for life and full of beans. Don’t let this fool you though, they are softies at heart. Always on the hunt for cuddles. Sari’s love truly opened them up from scared little calves to the brave boys they are today.

Their story does not end here, however. At ‘Til The Cows Come Home we endeavour to never split a special bond like this one, so we set on the mission to find them the perfect home – together. One where they can live as companions, not commodities.

Then that day finally came. Of course, Sari was sad to see this special pair go. However, she is steadfast in our mission – knowing they are safe in the best possible forever home – opens up space in her home for more calves in need.

Oscar may have been a lost and wild calf when he entered our care, but he left shoulder to shoulder with his best friend and full of love.

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